16 DEC CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. Consider the following statements with respect to the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB)

1. It was established in 2018 under the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communication with 100% equity owned by the Government of India.
2. Recently, IPPB unveiled a new digital payment app – DakPay – offering all customers access to the banking and payments products and services.
   Which of the above statement/s is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : c) Explanation :-
About India Post Payments Bank (IPPB):
• It was established in 2018 under the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communication with 100% equity owned by the Government of India.
• Vision: To build the most accessible, affordable and trusted bank for the common man in India.
• The fundamental mandate: To remove barriers for the unbanked & underbanked and reach the last mile leveraging the Postal network comprising 155,000 Post Offices (135,000 in rural areas) and 300,000 Postal employees.
• Operating model: Built on the key pillars – enabling Paperless, Cashless and Presenceless banking in a simple and secure manner at the customers’ doorstep, through a CBS-integrated smartphone and biometric device.
• Significance:
o Will provide a fillip to a less cash economy and contribute to the vision of Digital India.
o Will provide equal opportunity to every citizen to become financially secure and empowered.
Recently, Department of Posts (DoP) and India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) unveiled a new digital payment app – ‘DakPay’ – offering all customers access to the banking and payments products and services either through an App or in assisted mode with the help of the trusted Postman. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

Q2. Which of the following constitutional provisions ensure access of justice for citizens?

1. Article 39 A
2. Article 14
3. Article 22(1) Select the correct code:
   a) 1 and 2 only
   b) 2 and 3 only
   c) 1 and 3 only
   d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution : d) Explanation :-
Article 39 A of the Constitution of India provides for free legal aid to the poor and weaker sections of the society, to promote justice on the basis of equal opportunity.
• Article 14: Equality before law. The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
• Article 22: Protection against arrest and detention in certain cases.
• (1) No person who is arrested shall be detained in custody without being informed, as soon as may be, of the grounds for such arrest nor shall he be denied the right to consult, and to be defended by, a legal practitioner of his choice.
• Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q3. Consider the following statements:

1. A wholesale price index (WPI) is an index that measures and tracks the changes in the price of goods that are sold to consumers.
2. It is published by the Office of Economic Adviser, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : b) Explanation :-

Wholesale Price Index
• A wholesale price index (WPI) is an index that measures and tracks the changes in the price of goods in the stages before the retail level that is, goods that are sold in bulk and traded between entities or businesses instead of consumers.
• It is published by the Office of Economic Adviser, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• The base year of All-India WPI has been revised from 2004-05 to 2011-12.
• The weightage of components in WPI o Manufactured products = 64.2% o Primary articles = 22.6% o Fuel and power = 13.1% Major components of WPI
• Primary articles is a major component of WPI, further subdivided into Food Articles and Non-Food Articles. o Food Articles include items such as Cereals, Paddy, Wheat, Pulses, Vegetables, Fruits, Milk, Eggs, Meat & Fish, etc.
o Non-Food Articles include Oil Seeds, Minerals and Crude Petroleum
• Fuel & Power basket, tracks price movements in Petrol, Diesel and LPG
• The biggest basket is Manufactured Goods. It spans across a variety of manufactured products such as Textiles, Apparels, Paper, Chemicals, Plastic, Cement, Metals, and more.
o Manufactured Goods basket also includes manufactured food products such as Sugar, Tobacco Products, Vegetable and Animal Oils, and Fats.
WPI Food Index
• WPI has a sub-index called WPI Food Index, which is a combination of the Food Articles from the Primary Articles basket, and the food products from the Manufactured Products basket.
Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

Q4. S-400 air defence systems, often mentioned in news, was developed in which of the following country?
a) Russia
b) U.S.A
c) Turkey
d) France

Solution : a) Explanation :-
The United States has imposed sanctions on Turkey on Monday over its acquisition of Russian S-400 air defence systems.
• The S-400 Triumf, (NATO calls it SA-21 Growler), is a mobile, surface-to-air missile system (SAM) designed by Russia.
• It is the most dangerous operationally deployed modern long-range SAM (MLR SAM) in the world, considered much ahead of the US-developed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD).
• The system can engage all types of aerial targets including aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV and ballistic and cruise missiles within the range of 400km, at an altitude of up to 30km. The system can track 100 airborne targets and engage six of them simultaneously.
• The S-400 Triumf air defence system integrates a multifunction radar, autonomous detection and targeting systems, anti-aircraft missile systems, launchers, and command and control centre. It is capable of firing three types of missiles to create a layered defence.
• Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) was passed unanimously by the US Congress and signed reluctantly by US President Donald Trump. Enacted on August 2, 2017, its core objective is to counter Iran, Russia and North Korea through punitive measures.
• Title II of the Act primarily deals with sanctions on Russian interests such as its oil and gas industry, defence and security sector, and financial institutions, in the backdrop of its military intervention in Ukraine and its alleged meddling in the 2016 US Presidential elections.
• With India set to get the consignment of the S-400 air defence system early next year, India is watching Washington’s moves closely.
• While it has got a waiver from the outgoing Trump administration, India hopes that the incoming Biden administration would not work towards reversing the decision. Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q5. Which of the following is a landlocked country in Africa?
a) Namibia
b) Angola
c) Tanzania
d) Eswatini

Solution : d) Explanation :-
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the demise of Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini.
• Eswatini is officially known as the Kingdom of Eswatini, sometimes written in English as eSwatini, and formerly and still commonly known in English as Swaziland.
• Eswatini is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is bordered by Mozambique to its northeast and South Africa to its north, west, and south.
• The population is composed primarily of ethnic Swazis.
• The government is an absolute monarchy, ruled by King Mswati III since 1986. Elections are held every five years to determine the House of Assembly and the Senate majority. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q6. With reference to the Green Building, consider the following statements:

1. According to World Green Building Council data buildings and construction account for 39% of energy-related CO2 emissions in the world
2. GRIHA Council has developed the Building Fitness Indicator (BFI) tool – a free-to-use selfassessment tool that allows organizations to measure the preparedness of workplaces to prevent exposure to COVID-19.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : c) Explanation :-
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, virtually inaugurating the 12th GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) Summit, organised by the GRIHA Council from Hyderabad.
• Quoting the World Green Building Council data, the Vice President said that buildings and construction account for 39% of energy-related CO2 emissions in the world and called for accelerating the process of total de-carbonization of the built environment.
• Opining that the roof cooling should be an area of priority for all, he mentioned that in India, over 60 percent of roofs are made from metal, asbestos, and concrete – thus trapping heat inside buildings and contributing to heat island effect in urban areas. cool roofs can lower indoor temperatures by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius as compared to traditional roofs.
• Observing that the implementation of Bureau of Energy Efficiency’s Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) has not been uniform across the nation, Shri Naidu appreciated the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for taking a lead in this regard.
• GRIHA Council has developed the Building Fitness Indicator (BFI) tool – a free-to-use selfassessment tool that allows organizations to measure the preparedness of workplaces to prevent exposure to COVID-19.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q7. With reference to the Meghdoot awards, consider the following statements:

1. The Meghdoot award is given every year for excellence in postal service.
2. Postal Department conferred Meghdoot awards to Postal Employees for their achievements in 2019-20.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : c) Explanation :-
Postal Department conferred Meghdoot awards to Postal Employees for their achievements in 2019-20.
• The Meghdoot award is given every year for excellence in postal service.
• The meghdoot award 2019-20 was given in eight categories.
• A memorandum of Understanding was signed by Department of Posts with CSC e-Governance Services India Limited.
• This will give a flip to setting a common service centres in more than 10000 Post Offices across the country for providing various G2C (Government to Citizen) and B2C (Business to Citizens) services to citizens in rural and remote areas of the country Hence both statements are correct.

Q8. “Vijay Diwas” is celebrated to mark the victory of India in which of the following wars?
a) 1971 Bangladesh liberation war
b) Annexation of Portuguese India 1961
c) Kargil war 1999
d) Indo- Pak war 1965

Solution : a) Explanation :-
India is celebrating Vijay Diwas on December 16 to mark victory of 1971 Bangladesh liberation war. Hence option (a) is correct.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will light up ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal and begin 50th anniversary celebrations of Indo-Pak War. In December 1971, the Indian Armed Forces secured a decisive and historic Victory over Pakistan Army, which led to creation of a Nation- Bangladesh and also resulted in the largest Military Surrender after the World War-II.
Four Victory Mashaals will be lit from the Eternal Flame of National War Memorial. These
Mashaals will be carried to various parts of the country including to villages of Param Vir Chakra and MahaVir Chakra Awardees of 1971 War. Soil from the villages of these Awardees and from areas where major battles were fought in 1971 are being brought to the memorial in New Delhi.

Q9. With reference to the DakPay, consider the following statements:

1. Department of Posts and India Post Payments Bank unveiled a new digital payment app
   DakPay.
2. DakPay UPI app allows users to create UPI ID and link only India Post Payments Bank account.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : a) Explanation :-
Department of Posts and India Post Payments Bank unveiled a new digital payment app DakPay.
• DakPay is a suite of digital financial and assisted banking services provided by India Post & IPPB through the trusted Postal (‘Dak’) network across the nation to cater to the financial needs (‘Pay’) of various sections of the society.
• DakPay UPI app allows users to create UPI ID and link multiple accounts across banks in a single mobile app. The app facilitates instant money transfers, QR based payments in merchant stores and online shopping on e-commerce websites.
• DakPay is not just a digital payment app but a suite of digital financial and assisted banking services provided by India Post and India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) through the trusted Postal network across the nation to cater to the financial needs of various sections of the society.
• Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q10. With reference to the Indian Coast Guard Interceptor Boat, consider the following statements:

1. This Interceptor boat is built indigenously by M/s L&T Jetty, Hazira and is capable of a high speed of 45 knots having capability to operate in shallow waters.
2. It will operate from Kochi under administrative and operational control of the Commander Coast Guard Region (NW).
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution : a) Explanation :-
Indian Coast Guard Interceptor Boat got commissioned at Hazira in Gujarat.
• This Interceptor boat is built indigenously by M/s L&T Jetty, Hazira and is capable of a high speed of 45 knots having capability to operate in shallow waters.
• This Interceptor Boat will operate from Gujarat under administrative and operational control of the Commander Coast Guard Region (NW).
• Vessel is fitted with latest state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment designed for high speed interception, close coast patrol, low intensity maritime operations, Search and Rescue and maritime surveillance.
• It will also further augment patrolling and prevent illicit activities such as infiltration, smuggling and illegal fishing activities along the international maritime borders.
Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

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